The Moment I Listened to My Body

Mood : 3.5/10

I’ve always believed that taking care of your body isn’t just about managing discomfort—it’s about listening to it, trying to figure out what the heck it’s saying, and adjusting when something doesn’t feel quite right. Recently, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about this, especially with the unexpected bumps (both literal and metaphorical) I’ve encountered.

A couple of years ago, I had a Bartholin cyst that started off as a small discomfort and quickly escalated into one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced. It was like my body was playing a cruel game of "how much pain can we squeeze into three days?" It was sudden, sharp, and growing in intensity so fast that I found myself walking like a very old, very stiff robot. I couldn’t even sit properly, and let’s just say going to the bathroom felt like an Olympic event. If I could’ve added “pain” to my workout tracker, I would’ve hit my steps goal that day.

When I finally went to the doctor, it turned out to be a Bartholin cyst—a fluid-filled sac near my vaginal area. It was removed, and thank goodness for that. But honestly, the experience stuck with me, not just because of the pain, but because it was a reminder of how quickly things can change, and how much we take for granted when everything’s working fine down there. It’s funny (in a not-so-funny way) how something so small can create such chaos. Lesson learned: if something feels off, don’t ignore it. Your body is probably not sending you a love letter.

Since then, I’ve been trying to be more aware of any changes in my body, and I’ve been more open to listening to its cues—no matter how weird or awkward they might be. Lately, I’ve been noticing something strange: my stomach. It’s not your usual stomach ache; it’s more of an “uneasy” feeling. Not really painful, just uncomfortable, like my stomach is unsure of itself and keeps sending me passive-aggressive texts like, “I’m fine, but also... I’m not.”

It got me thinking—could this be related to my depression? It’s not something I’ve really noticed before, but I’ve learned that depression doesn’t just hang out in your mind. It can affect your body in all kinds of unexpected ways. I guess it makes sense—your gut and brain are kind of like besties, constantly gossiping about your life and emotions. If your brain’s feeling a little off, your gut might be like, “Hey, let me join in the fun!” So now, when I feel that strange stomach unease, I wonder if it’s just my body trying to catch up with my emotions.

Which brings me to something else I’ve been thinking about: hygiene. (Yes, we’re going there.) You might be thinking, “What’s so funny about hygiene?” Well, when it’s your own body, everything feels personal, doesn’t it? For example, I used to wear leggings all the time, thinking they were cute and practical, but I realized they weren’t doing my body any favors. So now, I’ve made a habit of quickly changing out of them after workouts and letting things “breathe” at night. I won’t get into too much detail, but let’s just say I’m not wearing panties when I sleep anymore—and my body thanks me for it.

Now, I’m also considering laser hair removal for down there. I’ve been trimming for a while, but the idea of laser has been floating around in my mind like a potential solution to make everything cleaner and more comfortable. (I mean, who doesn’t love a life with less shaving, right?) I’m not in any rush to make a decision about it, though. Maybe after June, I’ll give it a try, but right now, I’m still deciding if I want to become the kind of person who has to book an appointment to get their hair removed instead of just trimming. Choices, right?

But the thing is, hygiene and comfort are so personal. We all have our routines, and what works for one person might not work for another. That’s the beauty of it—there’s no “right” or “wrong,” just what feels good for you. It’s about understanding your body’s needs and making those small changes that make a big difference in how you feel.

At the end of the day, self-care isn’t about finding the perfect solution. It’s about paying attention to your body, being patient with yourself, and knowing that sometimes just taking a step back and listening is enough. So, if your stomach is feeling weird, or you’re dealing with a cyst, or maybe you’re wondering whether laser hair removal is worth it, remember that you’re not alone. It’s all part of the messy, beautiful journey of being human. And hey, if anything goes wrong, at least we’ll have stories to laugh about later.